स ध्यायति किमर्थं तन्न विद्मः परमार्थिनः
He is meditating, but for what purpose—we do not know, for he is absorbed in the highest truth.
मध्ये वयसि वर्तंती यासीद्दाक्षायणी सती
In the prime of her youth, Daksha’s daughter, Sati, lived.
निमंत्रितो न मे भर्ता इति कोपं चकार या
She became angry, saying, 'My husband was not invited.'
भवभार्या भवित्रीति नान्यं वरमचिंतयत्
She thought of no other husband but Bhava, wishing only to become his wife.
कथं हि शंकरो देवो मम भर्ता भविष्यति
How indeed will Lord Shankara become my husband?
ततः समागता देवाः कृत्वाग्रे बलसूदनम्
Then the gods assembled, placing the destroyer of armies at their forefront.
ते सुरास्तत्स्तुति कृत्वा वाक्यमेतत्समैरयन्
Those gods, having offered praise, spoke these words.
ततोऽवोचत्सुरान्ब्रह्मा ज्ञातं कार्यं समाहितम्
Then Brahma said to the gods, 'The purpose is known and has been considered.'
तथा यतध्वं देवेशं यथा वांछति पार्वतीम् 5.1.34.
So act, O lords of the gods, so that the Lord of the gods desires Parvati.
ततो मेरुं समागत्य पुनर्मंत्रं प्रचक्रिरे
Then, gathering at Meru, they again performed a ritual.
प्रतिपन्नं च देवेन स्वांगात्सेना पतिं प्रति
The god resolved to create the commander of the army from his own body.
इति संचित्य देवेशः काममाहूय सत्वरम्
Thus, having decided, the Lord of the gods quickly summoned Kama.
यथा देवो भजेद्देवीं तथा काम विधीयताम्
O Kama, arrange it so that the god may desire the goddess.
कामो वाक्यं हरेः श्रुत्वा प्रहस्येदमुवाच ह
Hearing the words of Hari, Kama smiled and spoke thus.
तस्मिन्क्षणेऽथ शक्रेण कामवाक्यादनंतरम्
At that moment, after Kama’s words, Shakra acted.
लब्ध्वा कामो मधुं मित्रं प्रतस्थे भार्यया सह
Having obtained Madhu and Mitra, Kama set out with his wife.
यत्र देवाधिदेवेशो देवदारुवने स्थितः
Where the Lord of the gods among gods was dwelling in the Devadaru forest.
चूतवृक्षाश्रितः कामो यावद्बाणं सुमोहनम्
Kama, sheltered by the mango tree, prepared his most enchanting arrow.
त्यक्तध्यानव्रतो देवो हृष्टश्चाह्रादचेतनः 5.1.34.
The god, having abandoned meditation and vows, became joyful, yet without delight or awareness.
चूतवृक्षाश्रितं काममपश्यच्च रुषान्वितः
He saw desire, sheltered by the mango tree, filled with anger.
देवोऽप्यन्तर्दधे तस्मात्स्थानादाशु गणैः सह
The god vanished swiftly from that place together with his attendants.
भस्मीकृतं पतिं दृष्ट्वा विललाप सुदुःखिता
Seeing her husband reduced to ashes, she lamented, overwhelmed by deep sorrow.
आश्वासयंतीं कृपया सखीमिव सुदुः खिताम्
Consoling her, as one would a deeply distressed friend, with compassion.
सर्वकार्याण्यनंगोपि मित्रकार्यं विधानतः
Even though Ananga is absent from all actions, he accomplishes the work of friends according to order.
ततः शंभोरनुध्यानात्थास्यति न संशयः
Then, through contemplation of Shambhu, fulfillment will certainly occur, without doubt.
तत्पुत्रो भविता देही प्रद्युम्नोनाम ते पतिः
That son will be born, possessing a body, named Pradyumna, your husband.
अचिंतयत्तदा देवी उमापि हिमवद्गृहे
At that time, the goddess Uma also reflected upon this in the house of Himavat.
कथं भर्त्ता भवेद्देवः कामस्योत्थापनं कथम् 5.1.34.
How will the god become a husband? How will Kama be restored?
एवं संचिंतयित्वाथ सखीभिः सहिता ततः
Having thus considered, she then gathered together with her companions.
वर्षास्वभ्रावकाशस्था हेमंते जलशायिनी
During the rainy season, she remained in the open sky; in winter, she lay upon water.